About this project

$4,334

pledged of $3,500 goal

216

backers

WAH-HOo! We've hit our funding goal!

Well it was touch and go there for a while, but the Kickstarter community really came through this week. Thanks to all you backers out there, I'm going forward with the design studio and already have the Last Alert app in its final stages. The compass piece is turning out trickier than we thought, but we're making progress. We should be looking to submit to Apple by early next week.

Even though we've exceeded the goal at this point, additional pledges are still very welcome.

Any extra funding will be put to good use for advertising Last Alert (not cheap) and will also help me get started on my next big idea. (It's top secret for now) I'll have our new website www.app-different.com up and running by this weekend, and you will be able to check in there for information on upcoming projects. As promised, there will also be a page on the site dedicated to all supporters who pledged $20 or more.

Whether you've pledged one dollar or five hundred, you should know that you've helped to make a difference for myself and my family. In the grand scheme of things, a few thousand dollars is not a whole lot of money, however this Kickstarter experience has been enough to encourage and motivate me to pursue a bigger dream. One that I've put off for far too long.

I'm not sure where this road will take me, but I know I wouldn't have gotten this far without your help.

If you've ever searched for (or *gasp* even lost?) a misplaced iPhone with a drained battery, then this unique app development is a project you should be interested in. Watch the Video above...and read below for more.

Cupertino, we have a problem...

I've got three kids that continually sneak off to some corner of the house with my iPhone, play games until the battery dies, set it aside, then immediately *forget* where they left it.

Yep, nothing like turning your house upside down trying to find your phone, (while in a panic because you're late to work and you just know that important call is going to come at any minute)...am I right? Well guess what? It's not in the couch. Nor is it in the kitchen. Under the bed? Sorry. Oh, wait! Wasn't Junior using it on the deck earlier? Keep looking, it has to turn up... doesn't it?

We've actually lost two iPods this way.

Help me stop the madness!!

LAST ALERT is an app I'm looking to to develop for the iPhone, iPod, and iPad that will help you locate just where you left your iDevice.

There are 3 main features to this app:

1. Audible Notifications - Last Alert will alarm when the battery is low. This will let you know when it's time get the device to a charger -before the battery dies. Choose up to 3 alerts. (10%, 5%, 2% etc.,)

2. Email Alerts - in the event of a dying battery, the app can send an email to you with last known GPS coordinates. Click the link and see the location of the device on Google maps. (If you have Last Alert installed on another iOS device, you will see the location within app)

3. Track It - If you have Last Alert installed on a second iOS device, you can use the app's built-in compass to literally walk you to the last known coordinates of the missing iPhone or iPod, (Go 15ft Northeast, etc.,) includes a sonar-style "ping" that increases as you get closer.

Yes, there are other battery monitoring apps out there, and yes there are plenty of GPS apps out there. But nothing that provides all this functionality to help you find your missing device when it has no power. Kind of like good car insurance...you will really appreciate it when you need it.

Please help me to get this idea off the ground!

As I mention in the video, the art, layout, and workflow is complete. I've had deep discussions with some very talented programmers who are ready to roll on this. I am just looking for funding to make it happen & to assist with advertising needs. If the app is successful, I plan to open my own iOS app development studio. I've got some great things planned...

NOTE: for those of you asking the question... yes, if this app turns out successful and it makes sense to do so, I will definitely consider an Android version.

FAQ

Yes. Although we will not have an iPad native version, you will be able to install and use the lower resolution iPhone app - the same way many apps work on the iPad today. If Last Alert generates enough sales, I will look into an iPad native version.

As long as all the devices use the same iTunes account, you will only have to purchase the app once. Similarly, KickStarter backers who qualify for the free app download will be able to use it on multiple devices as long as they share the same iTunes account.

I'm still working that out, but it will most likely be a cost for the basic functionality (The audible alerts) then additional cost to upgrade to email notifications and compass tracking via in-app purchase.

Technically, that is correct. Apps don't continually run in the background but are essentially "paused" or "put to sleep" until you return to them. We circumvent this by "waking up" the app at certain intervals to take a battery reading, then putting it back to sleep. That is all I can comment on the process at this time.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10 or more
About $10

Ten Dollar 2fer!
A free app download for both you and a friend of your choice. Got more than one friend? Pledge as much as you'd like! Each $5 increment gets you another download. (don't worry, your other friends won't find out that you didn't care enough to buy this for them...oh heck, you better get a few just in case.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

Cookie Lover's Special. You'll get to download the app at no charge. You'll be put on my personal list of favorite people. Plus I will post your name to my webpage as a supporter & exceptional human being.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

You will become legendary to my family for generations to come. We will bake and send you cookies.

Plus
You'll get to download the app at no charge. You'll be put on my personal list of favorite people. I will also post your name to my webpage as a supporter & exceptional human being. Send me email addresses to five or your friends, (co-workers, in-laws, ex-girlfriend\boyfriend, ...whatever) and I will personally contact them to describe your virtues.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

You are crazy. And\or you have too much money burning a hole in your pocket. And while I worry about your financial health, I am VERY MUCH appreciative. Bless you. You will receive a box full of homemade cookies.

PLUS:
You'll be put on my personal list of favorite people. You'll get a gift code to download the app at no charge. I will also post your name to my webpage as a supporter & exceptional human being. Send me email addresses to five or your friends, (co-workers, in-laws, ex-girlfriend\boyfriend, ...whatever) and I will personally contact them to describe your virtues.